For Sandy Bowman, Thanksgiving would not be the same without oyster stuffing.

“It’s one thing you don’t get any other time of the year,” Bowman said. “I just don’t make oyster stuffing unless it is Thanksgiving!”

But Bowman said she wants to make this holiday season a healthier one.

Faculty and staff who are also hoping to stay healthy through the holidays can attend the last session of the Healthy Lifestyles series. The presentation will focus on healthy eating through the holidays and will be held from noon to one this afternoon in 1418 Klehm Hall.

Bowman said the stuffing has been a family tradition for years.

Every year, Bowman, Eastern’s human resources training coordinator, wakes up early to prepare the dish by sautéing celery, onion and sage.

Bowman puts oysters in a blender until they are almost liquefied, with small chunks of meat throughout the blend.

The oysters are mixed with the sautéed vegetables and chunks of bread and then stuffed into the turkey.

But having recently lost some weight, Bowman said she wants to maintain her weight loss throughout the holidays. And with holiday office parties and family gatherings – and oyster stuffing – keeping the pounds off can be tough.

Dr. James Painter, chair of the school of family and consumer sciences, and Dawn Wilcox, nutrition education coordinator, will co-present the Healthy Lifestyle event.

Bowman said during the session, presenters will demonstrate quick ways to make healthy and wholesome meals and share recipe ideas for holiday leftovers.

The presentation will also offer suggestions for lightening up classic holiday dishes, which are often loaded with butter, sugar and other fattening ingredients.

Wilcox said using low-fat or low-calorie substitutes in recipes is a great way to still enjoy foods associated with holiday tradition – without overindulging.

When making her favorite holiday treat, cheesecake, Wilcox said she substitutes fat-free cream cheese for regular. This allows her to still enjoy one of her favorite desserts without feeling guilty.

Wilcox said foods should never be completely avoided.

“If you enjoy a food, limit it to one portion and be done with it,” Wilcox said. “Otherwise, you might crave it over the holiday season and overeat other foods in its place.”

Wilcox said the popular belief that the average American gains five to seven pounds during the holiday season is false. She said most Americans gain only one to two pounds.

In order to avoid this slight weight gain, Wilcox said it is important to get 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise and make sure to control portion sizes.